Basic-Questions about Quantum terms

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Anglea
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Quantum Terms
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around basic concepts in quantum mechanics, including wave functions, ensemble averages, stochastic processes, and the distinction between clean and dirty states. Participants seek clarification on these terms and their implications in quantum theory, indicating a mix of conceptual and technical inquiries.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the meaning of representing wave functions as Gaussian processes, while another clarifies that they are typically represented as Gaussian wave packets.
  • Ensemble averaging is introduced as a concept involving a large number of identically prepared systems, but the quantum mechanical analogue remains complex.
  • There is a query about the relationship between dispersion relations in quantum mechanics and the degeneracy of eigenvalues.
  • Participants discuss the terms "clean system" and "dirty state," with some suggesting they may refer to "pure" and "mixed" states, while others seek further clarification.
  • One participant expresses confusion regarding normalization versus renormalization in the context of wave functions.
  • Questions arise about the difference between scars and nodal lines, and the meaning of separable systems in coordinate space.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with the concepts discussed, leading to a mix of agreement on the need for clarification and disagreement on specific definitions and interpretations. The discussion remains unresolved on several points, particularly regarding the terms "clean" and "dirty" states.

Contextual Notes

Some terms and concepts discussed may depend on specific definitions that are not universally agreed upon, and there are unresolved mathematical steps related to the topics raised. The complexity of the questions suggests a need for a strong mathematical background to fully grasp the discussions.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals new to quantum mechanics seeking to understand foundational concepts, as well as those interested in the nuances of terminology used in advanced quantum theory.

Anglea
Messages
89
Reaction score
0
I realize my questions are very basic, that is because my background is a bit different, and I have to understand these terms to be able to do my work I guess all people here are famiilar with these basic things, please help me, I would appreciate your time ...
what we mean if we say need to take wave functions as a Gaussian processes?what is Ensemble average?Stochastic prosses? due to the dispersion relation in quantum mechanics the eigenvalues are degenerate, how this is related to each other??what we mean by clean system, and dirty state??
:frown::frown:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Wow. The answer may take a course!

Wave functions may be represented by "Gaussian wave packets": NOT gaussian processes. In fact they may be represented in the basis of any set of complete functions.

Consider a very large (tending to infinity) number of identically prepared systems with given system parameters (say T,V, and P). Then the theoretical idea of taking an average over all these systems of some other physical observable, is called "ensemble averaging". Of course, there is a quantum mechanical analogue but that may be too much information for now.
 
IPart said:
Wave functions may be represented by "Gaussian wave packets": NOT gaussian processes. In fact they may be represented in the basis of any set of complete functions.
appreciate your time, as I am new comer to this field I have read many articles, but with nothing! so I guess it is better if anyone could give me idea of the meaning to be able to go on myself for more details.

what is the advantage of taking the wave function as a "Gaussian wave packets", is this somehow related to the normalization .
IPart said:
Consider a very large (tending to infinity) number of identically prepared systems with given system parameters (say T,V, and P). Then the theoretical idea of taking an average over all these systems of some other physical observable, is called "ensemble averaging". Of course, there is a quantum mechanical analogue but that may be too much information for now.
if we have a billiard how we can construct such ensemble.
can anyone tell me what this sentence mean
PHP:
due to the dispersion relation in quantum mechanics the eigenvalues are degenerate
.
What is the difference between clean and dirty states??
 
what is the difference between the scars and the nodal lines ?
 
Your questions are NOT at all basic...what are you studying that brings so many advanced concepts to the forefront?? Without a strong, graduate level math background, you'll be hard pressed to understand the answers to much of what you ask...if you are just looking for intuitive, layman's explanantions, you'll do a lot better here.

For an idea of renormalization, try wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renormalization

It's a mathematical device for eliminating certain divergences, that is, what would other wise be infinities...for example sometimes a pair of infinities can be canceled by substraction...Feynman called it "hocus pocus"...somebody else a "subterfuge" (I suspect proper mathematicians find it totally abhorrant) ...an example the result of field interactions of point particle approximations becoming infinitly strong at sub atomic distances...I think perturbation theory also runs up against some of these infinities even when they are used to avoid such problems and unsolvable (lengthy/complex) complete mathematical formulations.

(an approximate solution might be expanding a complete (and complicated) formulation to a Taylor series (to simplify) and then approximating by using only the first (most significant) term or two...
 
Anglea said:
What is the difference between clean and dirty states??
I'm not familiar with those terms. Do you mean "pure" and "mixed" states? See e.g. this Wikipedia article.

Naty1, I think (s)he meant "normalization" (i.e. making sure the norm of the wave function is 1), not renormalization.
 
Fredrik said:
I'm not familiar with those terms. Do you mean "pure" and "mixed" states? See e.g. this Wikipedia article.
I came across these terms when I read a about regular system and ergodic geodisc? Is the clean system just the regular system, or they are different? what is the ergodic??

Naty1, I think (s)he meant "normalization" (i.e. making sure the norm of the wave function is 1), not renormalization.[/QUOTE]yes I mean the Normalization.

p.s.It would be highely grateful if you could not refer me to Wiki.
 
Naty1 said:
Your questions are NOT at all basic...what are you studying that brings so many advanced concepts to the forefront?? Without a strong, graduate level math background, you'll be hard pressed to understand the answers to much of what you ask...if you are just looking for intuitive, layman's explanantions, you'll do a lot better here.

For an idea of renormalization, try wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renormalization

It's a mathematical device for eliminating certain divergences, that is, what would other wise be infinities...for example sometimes a pair of infinities can be canceled by substraction...Feynman called it "hocus pocus"...somebody else a "subterfuge" (I suspect proper mathematicians find it totally abhorrant) ...an example the result of field interactions of point particle approximations becoming infinitly strong at sub atomic distances...I think perturbation theory also runs up against some of these infinities even when they are used to avoid such problems and unsolvable (lengthy/complex) complete mathematical formulations.

(an approximate solution might be expanding a complete (and complicated) formulation to a Taylor series (to simplify) and then approximating by using only the first (most significant) term or two...

appreciate you time, JUST GET CONFUSED WHICH Q you have answered, I mean normalization?o:):confused:
 
can anyone please show me the difference between the A causal Green's function causal Green's function ??
 
  • #10
can anyone explain to me what they mean by a separable system in co-ordinate space? and what the meaning of (classical integrability does not require the quantum separability)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
378
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K